What's a Del's Lemonade, you ask? Why, it is a soft-serve, frozen lemonade famous in Rhode Island. It's like drinking snowy lemonade (which is exactly how it was created), but NEVER with a straw - you shake it and roll it around the cup, the heat from your hand slowly melting it into the perfect drinking texture. And weather you buy it from a Del's Lemonade stand, truck, or cart - a pretzel rod or gumball stuck atop is the perfect garnish, regardless of age.
So I don't have any pretzels or gumballs....and I don't have any of the iconic green, waxy cups that it's dispensed in...but I do have the sweet, tart, and frozen concoction that has all southern New Englanders swooning!!
You can purchase a Del's powdered mix, blend it together with water and ice cubes, and just be done with it. But if you have lemons, sugar, water, and time - you can make it yourself - 100% o'na-tu-ral. By making this yourself you can alter the amount of sugar used - sweetening it to your liking. I used 1/3 cups of sugar...less than you'd get from a Del's, but sweet enough for me.
You don't need a facy ice cream maker - just a pan, a whisk and a blender.....and time....and patience.....just a lil' bit.
**Caution**Warning**consuming this too fast will result in an ice cream induced headache!! I got so excited, I ate a few spoonfuls - dropped my spoon, clutched my head, and cursed ice cream headaches!!
This is how it should look - smooth, and slush-like - with just a few hints of lemon zest throughout.
If you can't make it to Rhode Island during the summer, here is an easy copycat for this famous treat!!
DIY Del's Lemonade
makes 4 small, 2 large servings
1 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice and pulp (about 3-4 lemons worth)
1/3 cup of sugar, plus more to taste if needed
3 cups water, divided
1/4 tsp lemon zests, optional - but more authentic this way
Place a 9x12 baking pan in the freezer 30 minutes prior to mixing the ingredients.
Dissolve the sugar in 2 cups of water - mix thoroughly - add lemon juice and zest.
Pour into frozen pan, put back in the freezer for 90 minutes - stirring every half hour. This should leave you with a solid layer, yet pliable enough to break apart with a spoon.
Break the lemon ice into small pieces, taste test it - if more sugar is desired it can be added here, with the final cup of water.
Whisk in the remaining water until ice becomes slightly melted and slushy. Immediately pour into a blender, starting on low for 20 seconds, then switching to high for 20 seconds - or until no large pieces of ice are present.
Serve immediately & enjoy!!
Oh I love Del's Lemonade! What an awesome recipe, I can't wait to try it! Pinning now! Following you now on Bloglovin. Looking forward to seeing other fun stuff on your blog! Hope your weekend has been great!
ReplyDeleteBest,
Jen @ YummyHealthyEasy.com
Thanks, Jen!! This was a staple for me when I lived in RI!!
DeleteI've never had a Del's Lemonade so I need to try this recipe! I hate a brain freeze! Happens to me everytime I get a frappuccino.
ReplyDeleteIt's very smooth, not as icy as a Slush Puppy-type freezie, and wonderful! Just sip it slow :o)
DeleteMmmm, I love frozen lemonade. It's so great on a hot summer day.
ReplyDeleteHeidi’s Wanderings
True dat!! We cave it every summer, since moving away....some wintery days too....we're weird like that :o)
DeleteLooks so yummy and refreshing!
ReplyDeleteIt certainly is :o) minus the brain-freeze
DeletePerfect for the upcoming heat of summer!
ReplyDeletePopping in from Oh, Mrs. Tucker!
Yes - a summer must!!
DeleteThis is delish! Perfect for summer! I'm hosting a new linky party at http://hickorytrailblog.blogspot.com/2013/05/efforts-and-assets-linky-party-1.html
ReplyDeleteI would love to have you!
Angela
soft-serve frozen lemonade - I am so intrigued! It looks so refreshing. I love lemon anything :)
ReplyDeleteUnlike the sprinkles being thrown while your cookies are eaten...no lemonade will be directed toward anyone. :o)
DeleteI love frozen lemonade, especially with a little mint! Thanks for sharing at Fluster's Creative Muster Party!
ReplyDeleteRobin
Fluster Buster
Yes! Mint would be lovely!! It use to grow wild in my yard...then we moved - it breaks my heart to pay $3-4 for it at the grocery store - but worth it every time!!
DeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteIt is a childhood favorite...still today!!
DeleteWe have frozen lemonades here on the Gulf Coast of Texas too....yummy....only sadly I have to say no to the sore bought ones because of the sugar. I am going to attempt this recipe using ez sweetz (my favorite sugar substitute)
ReplyDeletestopping by to visit from Fluster’s Creative Muster Wednesday Linky Party
Carolyn @ iamthecraftylady.com
Thanks for stopping by!! I'm not familiar with ez sweetz - but it should do the trick!
DeleteThis is great! My husband is from rhode island and loved del's as a kid. He will be so excited when I make it for him.
ReplyDeleteWhisking in the last cup of water is what really gives it that Del's consistency....I hope he enjoys it....add a giant gumball &/or a pretzel rod...he'll know what I'm talkin' bout!!
DeleteI'm stopping by from Thursday's Treasury. This recipe looks awesome. I always love slushy lemonade but I've never tried making it myself. Thanks for sharing - I'm going to pin this.
ReplyDelete-Vicky
http://veryvic.blogspot.com
Thanks for stopping by & pinning!! :o)
DeleteYou R Rocking !
ReplyDeleteThanks D-9!
DeleteYummy! This looks so delicious. This would be perfect to link-up to my new series - "Create It Thursday." It's live now! http://www.lambertslately.com/2013/05/create-it-thursday-1.html
ReplyDeleteHi Kim, I clicked over from the Foodie Friday link up at Home Maid Simple. These look so good and sound perfect for the long, hot, desert summer that's quickly approaching here in Arizona. 115° might actually be tolerable with a frozen lemonade! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteLisa
Yikes! You definitely need one to cool down!! Thanks for stopping by :0)
DeleteI love soft serve frozen lemonades and this looks so refreshing! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing at Marvelous Mondays this week.
They do hit the spot - they're also available in other flavors....haven't mastered those yet ;)
DeleteOh heavens--I'm *obssessed* with frozen lemonade--Thank you for this!!!! :D :D I will have to try this very soon!
ReplyDeleteThey're like liquid crack during the summer months, I swear!
DeleteKIM!!!! You're killing me here with these wonderful Rhode Island treats you post - I'm SO homesick for these foods!! LOL!!
ReplyDeleteWe've seen Del's served out here in AZ, but it doesn't taste the same and get this, they serve it with a STRAW!!! Can you believe that?!?!?! haha SO sacrilegious!
Ha! I guess I am homesick or them, as well! OMG - NEVER WITH A STRAW!!! That's not the Rho' Disland way!
DeleteFlashback I think I remember drinking one of these when visiting my cousins in RI. It had a red gum ball in it! Cool, thanks for bringing this by foodie friday.
ReplyDeleteYou have been officially entered into the Del's lemonade society, Diane!! Gum all and all! :0)
DeleteI love Del's Lemonade~ I had it here in WI (Madison) for the first time and I happened to know the person selling it:) It was wonderful and refreshing on a hot summer day~ Lynn @ Turnips 2 Tangerines
ReplyDeleteWow, I didn't know it was available in WI. Glad you enjoyed it, Lynn :o)
DeleteOh, wow! What a cool way to make frozen lemonade without special equipment! I cannot wait to do this during the summer. Visiting from Sweet & Savory Sunday!
ReplyDeleteNatasha's Nibbles and Noshes
All you need is a whisk ;) no fancy-shmancy electro gizmos!! Hope you enjoy them.
DeleteNothing better than a Del's from Misquamicut on a July day. One of the best tastes of my youth. I can still remember the taste even though I haven't had one in a decade. This summer for sure. Thanks for the recipe! Found from The Better Half.
ReplyDeleteTrue dat!! Thanks for stopping by :o)
Deletemmmm yummy, perfect for hot summer days
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness! I think you are my new best friend did you know that? I love love love lemonade and this frozen treat has my name written all over it! Fabulous :) Krista @ A Handful of Everything
ReplyDelete:o) You gotta try it - we're odsessed with it!!
Deletelooks so yummy, kim. The kids would love it!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jocie :o)
DeleteOh, yummy!! This looks so delicious. Thank you so much for sharing at A Bouquet of Talent this week. I am featuring you later today at Pick of the Bunch! Have a wonderful weekend.
ReplyDeletehugs
Kathy
How exciting!! - heading over to link up again this week :o)
DeleteMy mouth is watering! This looks so refreshing! Thanks for sharing at Sweet & Savory Saturdays #13.
ReplyDelete~Amber @ Dessert Now, Dinner Later!
http://dessertnowdinnerlater.blogspot.com
I LOVE frozen lemonade; totally making these soon! Thanks for the great Summer recipe! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for the feature!! It is truly a must-have for us!!
DeleteHow perfect is this for summer! Thanks for sharing and coming back to All Things Pretty! Pinned it!
ReplyDeleteThanks Kathy - I'll see you this week too!
DeleteI lived in west warwick a child I will never forget this stuff it was off the chain
ReplyDelete